By George N. Mtonga

I certainly applaud the Zambian government for the introduction of student loans for Zambian students. This move will certainly expand access to education, because in the past those who didn’t qualify for bursary had no other sources of funding their education. But these loans are not going to be collateralized and our mechanisms for collecting the money back will certainly be a challenge. Currently, there is no definitive platform that shows that when students graduate we will have the technology to track them and collect against their wages their payments for the loans. This program may result in high default rates on the issues loans. This is something that we can work on as we continue to build this platform. Regardless of the challenges, it’s a great initiative and in the long run it should be smoothed to function efficiently.

However, we need to attach qualification of the loans to a National Service Program. This NSP would allow Zambian children before they go to University to volunteer in their respective communities. We can get them to work in Ministries, Hospitals, Parliament etc. And it would be incumbent on them to finish this program to qualify for jobs or any student loan program; of course we would not expect this for private sector jobs but NSP participation would be required for all government jobs (civil service or running for political office etc). This would undercut labor consumption within the civil service and save the government a lot of payroll money. With this program, we can generate anywhere between $50million to $150million in labor input from the participants of the program that is a savings of $250million to $750million over 5 years. NSP participation would be required for all Zambians, including those educated abroad. If you have lived abroad and you work as a doctor and relocate to Zambia, your NSP service can take a form of 1000 hour to 5000hour volunteer at the UTH or another government health facility.

WE HAVE a labor force that will benefit from taxes collected by people already working; but we can still tap into them when they are between 9 to 12 grades. They can clean the streets, paint schools etc. And we can get this labor for free, assuming that when they go to university they get the benefit of their labor through their student loan qualification and qualification for other government programs. These programs have been in effect in the United States as well as the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

WE ARE MAKING A RISKY bet providing these loans, and its only normal that we get something out of the children who will be going to college. WE HAVE TO INTRODUCE a National Service Program designed to improve the volunteerism of our children. And by attaching it to loan qualifications, we would give children an incentive to make sure they succeed and pass the program before they can secure any funding from government or apply for a job in government.

Today’s Scripture

“…the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.”
(Psalm 84:11, NIV)

Activate Favor

Favor is a part of your inheritance! You don’t have to beg God for it. As a believer in Jesus, you are in covenant with Him. That means that everything He has is yours!

The way you tap into that favor, or activate it, is by thanking Him for it. Say, “Father, thank You for Your favor today. Thank You that Your favor is causing me to be at the right place at the right time. Thank You that Your favor is causing people to want to be good to me.” See, you don’t have to pray about something that you already have, just receive it by thanking Him.

Before I speak each week, I never say, “God, please give me Your favor. Please give me Your anointing.” No, I simply say, “God, thank You for Your anointing. Thank You for Your favor on my life. Thank You for equipping and empowering me.” See, I know that it’s all part of my inheritance. So I just act like it’s true.

Today, activate His promises by faith. Praise and thank Him for His goodness and for blessing your life. Receive His Word as truth and hold it in your heart because He has already given His favor and blessing to you!

A Prayer for Today

“Father, thank You for Your favor and blessing in my life. Thank You for cleansing me and making me new. Your Word says that You will withhold no good thing from me because I walk blamelessly before You by the blood of Jesus. I receive it by faith and thank You for Your goodness in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

The MMD National Executive Committee has unanimously voted for the MMD/UPND Alliance to remain in place until the matter of the disputed 2016 election was conclusively determined.This is according to a communique released tot he media by MMD National secretary Reuben Sambo (Rev.) The MMD also resolved is to hold its National convention in January 2017.

Below is the full statement

The MMD National Executive Committee held their Fourth meeting on Saturday 19th November, 2016 in Kasupe, Lusaka where, inter alia, the following key resolutions were passed unanimously:

STRATEGIC ALLIANCE WITH THE UPND

At its Extraordinary MMD NEC meeting of 14-15 May, 2016 held at Ibis Gardens, Chibombo area, the body voted overwhelmingly for the Party to enter into a strategic electoral alliance with the United Party for National Development (UPND) going into the 2016 Tripartite election.

Consequently the two parties signed a formal Memorandum of Understanding on 26th May, 2016 at Chainama Hotel to this effect.

At the 19th November, 2016 meeting, NEC unanimously voted for the MMD/UPND Alliance to remain in place until the matter of the disputed 2016 election was conclusively determined. Further, NEC resolved to continue engagement with the alliance partner, the UPND, through a bi-partisan select technical committee to continously review relevant developments and map out the way forward.

The Committee applauded the great show of mutual support and unity between the leaders of both parties right down to the lower ranks. They vigourously campaigned together and morally supported one another during various cases of harrassment and arrests suffered by leaders of both parties at the hands of the ruling party. The structures of both parties demonstrated great unity of purpose as exemplifed by the moral and material support rendered by the MMD Copperbelt leadership and general membership to their imprisoned UPND colleagues during their incarceration at Kamfinsa prison soon after the August elections.

STATUS OF SUSPENDED PARTY NATIONAL SECRETARY AND SUSPENDED PARTY SPOKESPERSON

The cases of former Party National Secretary Mr. Mwansa Mbulakulima and former Party Spokesperson Rafael Nakachinda were tabled for review and determination.

As per Party Disciplinary Code of Conduct, the two had been suspended by the National Executive Commitee on 3rd March, 2016 and 18th February, 2016 respectively for gross misconduct likely to put the party into disrepute.

At the Saturday 19th November, 2016 meeting, the National Executive Committee unanimously voted to formally and officially expel the two members from the MMD in accordance with the Party Constitution.

COMMENCEMENT OF PREPARATIONS FOR THE 2017 MMD NATIONAL CONVENTION

A resolution passed at the MMD NEC meeting of 30 January, 2016 had voted by overwhelming majority to hold the MMD Party National Convention in 2017 to coincide with the end of the Party President’s 5 year tenure.

At the 19th November, 2016 meeting, a resolution was passed for the party to now begin immediate preparations for holding the Convention with regard to resource and membership mobilization in preparation for this great event in the party’s calendar, where far reaching decisions aimed at shaping and strengthening the MMD shall be tabled, debated and adopted.

In accordance with the strong democratic tenets of the MMD, all positions in the party hierarchy shall be open for transparent election at the Convention.

Reuben Sambo (Rev.)

NATIONAL SECRETARY

PF Secretary General Davies Mwila has warned PF MP’s that they will be severe repercussions for voting against the party including loss of party support in future elections. Mr Mwila was speaking at the Meet the Members of parliament fundraising dinner for Lusaka Province yesterday.

Mr Mwila said Zambia’s parliament is unicameral and is based on the Westminster model.

The Westminster system is a parliamentary system of government modelled after what was developed in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.It is used, or was once used in most Commonwealth and ex-Commonwealth nations upon being granted independence from British rule. However, some former colonies have since adopted either the presidential system (Nigeria) or a hybrid system (South Africa) as their form of government.

[pullquote]A cabinet member may be forced to resign simply for opposing one aspect of a government’s agenda, even though they agreed with the majority of other proposals. [/pullquote]

It is criticised because cabinet members do not have much independence to actively disagree with government policy, even for productive reasons. A cabinet member may be forced to resign simply for opposing one aspect of a government’s agenda, even though they agreed with the majority of other proposals.

Westminster cabinets also have a tendency to be very large. As the cabinet is the chief organ of power and influence in the government, members of parliament may actively lobby for a position in cabinet once their party is elected to power.

Mr Mwila emphasized that all party members are expected to remain loyal to the party and its leadership. He said he would not take kindly to any maneuvers by members, whether MPs or ordinary members to bring the President’s name or indeed that of the party into disrepute.

He urged MPs in Lusaka Province to explain the many development projects that the PF administration has been rolling out.He told the members of parliament to promote government projects such as the US $355 million Lusaka Water Supply, Sanitation and Drainage (LWSSD) project funded by the US Government through the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) in partnership with the Government of Zambia.

He also urged members of parliament to package and promote the L400 and its benefits, to talk about the expansion of the KK international airport at an estimated cost of K498.4million kwacha amomg others.

SOUTH Africa’s Premier for Gauteng Province, Mr. David Makhura, will lead a high powered delegation of business executives to Zambia to explore ways in which the two countries can develop more balanced trade relations.
Mr. Makhura has said that Zambia was South Africa’s important partner politically as well as in terms of business and that the country should be supported in areas that it lacked capacity.

“It is not enough to have relations at top national leadership level and that is why it is important to forge links at lower ranks because that is where real relationships occur. We realise that a lot of our companies have invested in Zambia and that trade is not properly balanced. This is why we are saying that we should not just keep taking what we produce to those countries we trade with. We need to help them to develop capacity so that they can also produce,” Mr. Makhura said.

He cited agriculture as one of the sectors that could be exploited in addressing the trade imbalance. He said there was need for South African entrepreneurs to build industrial capacity in Zambia pointing out that this would show that South Africa was after genuine investment in Zambia.

Mr. Makhura proposed to work with the Zambian High Commission in Pretoria to organise a business forum in South Africa through the Zambia-South Africa Business Council (ZSABC) after which he would like to lead a delegation to Lusaka to stage a similar event.

[pullquote]So please help us industrialise; help us to develop our capacity to can our tomatoes, our mangoes and other fruits,” Mr. Mwamba said.[/pullquote]

“Zambia is very important to South Africa, politically and businesswise. You are our biggest trading partner in the region. When something goes wrong in South Africa, Zambia feels it. So it is important that we forge stronger and mutually beneficial links at all levels,” Mr. Makhura said.

He was speaking yesterday at a breakfast meeting with Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa, His Excellency Mr. Emmanuel Mwamba and First Secretary for Tourism, Mrs. Patricia Muyamwa at his office in Johannesburg.

And Mr. Mwamba has welcomed the Premier’s eagerness to help address the trade imbalance saying the current situation disadvantaged Zambians as they lost out on business opportunities to big South African entrepreneurs.

Mr. Mwamba observed that Gauteng was one of the largest economies in Africa and urged Mr. Makhura to influence corporate organisations operating in the province to move into Zambia and help with the industrialisation process.

“When your companies import into Zambia everything they need from South Africa, it means that our people are robbed of their business opportunities. So please help us industrialise; help us to develop our capacity to can our tomatoes, our mangoes and other fruits,” Mr. Mwamba said.

He said Zambia had some of the best investment climate which allowed quick incorporation of businesses, freedom to externalise profits, among other incentives.

Mr. Mwamba said the proposed ZSABC business fora were an important platform from which partnerships could be forged while others could be strengthened.

The two tentatively agreed to hold the first forum in South Africa around March, 2017 and then the second one in Zambia would follow soon after.

The High Commissioner pointed out that relations between the two countries date back to the liberation struggle era when Zambia hosted South African freedom fighters and the headquarters of the African National Congress.
Gauteng is the economic power-house of South Africa and the broader Southern African Development Community (SADC). The province, which houses the spiraling cities of Johannesburg and Pretoria, among other important municipalities, generates 43 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product.

South Africa’s administrative system mandates that provincial authorities are ‘distinctive’ and therefore wield legislative and executive authority of their own. The country, nonetheless, ensures collaborative governance by allowing the different wings of government to interrelate.

Issued by:
Nicky Shabolyo

Maternity accommodation to help cut down on deaths during childbirth is provided by Stanbic Bank

Mazabuka General Hospital has a new mothers’ shelter, thanks to Stanbic Bank Zambia. The new accommodation will see pregnant mothers in the area benefit from a safe and conducive environment while awaiting delivery of their babies.
“With the weight of proper accommodation and quick access to maternal health facilities lifted off their shoulders, the mothers can now be allowed to concentrate on preparing for and looking after their new-borns,” said Stanbic Bank chief executive Mukwandi Chibesakunda at the commissioning of the shelter.
The shelter, built at the cost of K600,000, has all the necessary amenities to make staying at the hospital safe and comfortable for pregnant women and new mothers. Facilities include a sleeping area, shower, and a kitchen. The shelter also has a male wing for fathers-in-waiting, pending the discharge of their spouses and new-born children.
Mazabuka Provincial permanent secretary Sibaze Simuchoba thanked Stanbic Bank for their efforts in alleviating maternal and child mortality while promoting good health among women in the area.
Mrs Chibesakunda also pointed out how crucial the shelter is for both patients and hospital staff, as they will now be able to monitor and respond more easily to any complications that might arise. Patients from surrounding areas who previously have had to travel long distances to access the hospital’s services before will also be able to make use of this new facility.
“Stanbic Bank recognises the importance of good health in a nation’s well-being. We also recognise that the health of a mother and child is crucial in that equation. It is with this in mind that the bank has taken up health for women as one of its corporate social investment pillars. Much work has gone in eradicating maternal and infant child mortality before, during and in the immediate days after childbirth, but there is still much more that remains to be done,” she said.
“Mothers will always hold a special place in our lives – that is not to say that fathers are of lesser importance, because they, too, have our place – but today, our focus is on the mothers,” added Mrs Chibesakunda.
An avid advocate of health for women, with one of the core pillars embedded in its corporate social responsibility model, Stanbic Bank remains committed to endorsing health in the country, in collaboration with the relevant government departments and health authorities.
Stanbic Bank Zambia is constantly seeking opportunities to better the lives of the Zambian people in line with the bank’s motto: “Zambia is our home and we drive her growth”. The bank believes that by facilitating the construction of mothers shelters it is helping to drive Zambia’s growth and save lives.
“We believe that these are the lives of our future leaders, our future CEO’s, our future Doctors and indeed, our future Presidents,” said the bank.

Sale will raise funds for charity and talented young Zambian artist

Stanbic Bank Zambia is holding a closed-bid auction for an autographed life-like drawing of iconic music group UB40, with proceeds from the auction to be channelled to charity and the talent behind the art.
The drawing by 23-year-old Silvester Mali was inspired by the Stanbic 2016 Jazz Festival’s main act featuring the platinum-selling band, and is currently on display at the Stanbic Bank Private Banking Suite at Taj Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka.
“When Silvester approached us with the concept of the UB40 artwork, we were delighted at the opportunity to add a unique touch to the Jazz Festival, while at the same time promoting the two different forms of art alongside one another,” said Stanbic Public Relations and Communications Manager Chanda Chime-Katongo.
The drawing made its debut at the festival where it received rave reviews from festival- goers. However, it was UB40’s reaction that hit home for the young artist. He describes his encounter with the band’s original line-up of Ali Campbell, Astro and Mickey Virtue, as ‘awesome, humbling and overwhelming’ as their reaction was truly encouraging.
“I thought of doing something in relation to what UB40 are putting across, as it’s what I do in connection with the music. Their music has impacted generations and their songs date back to before I was even born, but you can still see how it just lives on. My thought was to do something inspirational that would also live on, and my art is basically a vision of what we hear or what I’ve heard about their songs,” said Silvester.
With no prior professional training apart from the technical drawing and art classes he undertook in secondary school, Silvester is a self-taught art prodigy with a deep love for art and wildlife art, in particular. It is a passion that found its way to the surface when he was just 14, with the young artist landing his first major project working on a calendar for charity two years later.
“For a while I stopped art to focus on my studies and only took it up last year when I did work with Stanbic. We have no artist in my family and there was a time when I became demotivated but gradually the support started coming in from different places and I took it up again,” explained Silvester.
Silvester hopes to use his talent to inspire fellow youths to follow their dreams and also to undertake more charity work as he grows as an artist.

“Stanbic is an avid supporter of the arts, as whether it’s music, paintings, or theatre, it inspires and connects people to what they care about in one form or the other. We have been privileged to host the Music Festival for the third year and more so now that we were able to take it further and tie it in with charity work and empower a young artist in the process,” added Stanbic’s Chanda Chime-Katongo.
Part of the proceeds raised from the auction will go to the Kuchetekela Foundation, which educates underprivileged children, with the remainder going to Silvester.
Interested bidders may place their closed bids at the bank’s Private Banking Suite at the Taj Pamodzi Hotel or the nearest branch, or the Stanbic Bank Zambia Facebook page via direct message with ‘Stanbic Art’, followed by the bid amount in Kwacha. All bids to be submitted by 12pm Wednesday 30^th November, 2016.